As yacht crew recruiters, we’ve seen the trend rise in recent years, but can you really get away with it?
It’s no secret that working on a yacht is a dream job for many. But this dream has led some applicants to embellish, misrepresent, mislead, exaggerate and downright lie on their CVs, hoping to land a coveted position.
As yacht crew recruiters at The Crew Hunter, we’ve seen this trend rise in recent years, and the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) recently announced a surge in unqualified crew with fake or purchased licenses. Applicants might exaggerate their experience, invent references, or even create fake certificates. While these tactics may seem clever, they always leave a trail. Inconsistent employment dates, vague descriptions, and hesitant references are red flags for us.
What are the consequences of lying?
Giving false information on a CV has serious consequences. It not only disqualifies the candidate but also damages their reputation in the industry. In some cases, it can even lead to legal action.
More importantly, lying breaks the trust that’s essential for a successful yacht crew. A dishonest crew member can create a toxic work environment, putting everyone’s safety at risk.
How we uncover the truth
At The Crew Hunter, our recruitment approach is built on quality over quantity. We don’t spam yachts with CVs; we take a thorough approach, carefully vetting every candidate. This detailed process occasionally takes a little longer, but it ensures we present only the most qualified and trustworthy candidates to our clients.
We thoroughly check every detail on a CV, contact references directly, and use industry databases to verify information. We also have a strong network within the yachting community, which helps us gather insights on potential hires.
When it comes to licenses and training certificates, with our sister company, The Crew Academy, an IAMI GUEST accredited training provider, we are well aware of the official certifications and we know how to spot fakes. PYA has urged all yacht crew, managers, recruiters and insurers, to only accept CoCs which are recognised by the major Flag states in yachting, or training courses accredited by the industry-driven GUEST-audited courses.
Read more: What is a GUEST CoC? And why should you care?
Our advice
We encourage all applicants to be honest and upfront about their qualifications. Remember, genuine passion and a strong work ethic are what we value most in our crew members.
If you’re a yacht owner, Captain or HOD seeking a reliable recruitment partner committed to thorough candidate verification, look no further than The Crew Hunter. We ensure you avoid the pitfalls of hiring individuals who lack the necessary experience, saving you valuable time and resources.
Find out more about how we can help you to build stronger and more effective teams at yachtcrew.uk/recruitment.
